S & W Country Diner - Culver City, California

Lisa Anderson

Food is just a little worse than what I would consider to be basic diner food, hence the 3/5. Corned beef hash was super disappointing, as was the chicken fried steak. If I went back I would just order bacon and eggs or something more basic which would probably be fine / a little better.

JC Cantrell

Went here with the wife for breakfast on a rare rainy day in LA. Had been here before for lunch. Then I had the cheeseburger combination. Although I didn't write about it then, this was one of the best burgers I have had in a long time. Everything you want in a diner burger plus the absolute best bun. The burger was tasty and juicy but the bun refused to fall apart. That NEVER happens.
OK, back to breakfast.
I had my go-to dish of French Toast. It was just what you would expect from a country diner. Four pieces for a full order. Lightly browned, tasty but unremarkable.
The coffee was good and a glass of water appeared at the start, just like you would expect.
The wife had her usual dish of two eggs over easy with bacon, hash browns and toast. Again, this was just what you would expect from a country diner, unremarkable but adequate.
The ambiance (can you use that word for a diner?) reminds me of a place I frequented 40 years ago near Chicago called Steel's Grill. Country diner. That's all you need to know.
The diner is open for breakfast and lunch. It closes at 2 pm.
They only accept CASH, so hit up the ATM before coming.
There is plenty of metered street parking in the morning but you may need to walk a bit for lunch.

So, we'll definitely be back for lunch. Breakfast was good but not great and there are a lot of places for breakfast that we haven't tried yet.

Jacob H

The place is eclectically decorated but not overly decorated as some places are. It’s a smaller diner that has on street metered parking. Good breakfast with friendly service. Pricing was very moderate. They only take cash, so have some cash on you or be ready to go across the street and pull done out of the atm.

Chris Karavoulias (BostonGreekGeek)

Came here with a friend for a quick breakfast and coffee. As soon as we sat down the waitress brought us menus and asked if we wanted some water and coffee and brought those right away.

When we were ready she came and took our orders and everything came out quite fast.

While we were seated she came by several times to make sure we had coffee and refilled the water. I always appreciate places that make sure your water is always topped up.

The food is average.. nothing really stood out, but it works for what we wanted a nice quiet place for a quick breakfast.

One thing to keep in mind is that this place is cash only, but if you don't have enough on you like we didn't, there is an ATM from Chase right across the street. So come prepared.

JP Shelton

Classic diner experience with the food, quantity and prices to match. Very cute Culver City area to walk around before or after too.

Chicken salad sandwich - yes
Banana pancake - yum.
Onion rings - hard pass.

I ordered the corn and chili pancake, just cause I’ve never seen that before so it’s an interesting item. But, it’s not commonly seen because it’s kind of weird. The corn and chili just don’t add anything to the flavor it’s just every other bite you’ll have a kernel of corn or a bite of chili try it if you want just because again it’s not a common and new item but you’re better off of the bandit can’t cakes with her actually amazing.

Don’t order the onion rings though - not good. Thin, flimsy and old.

Max M

We wanted to like the place more but...It's a good idea with a cute interior and plenty of seating but the food was really lacking in flavor. The staff are friendly and accommodating. Street parking only. The restaurant is also cash only (Chase Bank right across the street). Unfortunately I cannot recommend breakfast here as there are so many places that serve tastier morning meals.

Wayne Kimball, Jr.

S&W is a super cozy hole in the wall diner that reminded me of where I grew up in the south. The food was good but nothing amazing. The "Louisiana hot links" aren't at all the country red hots that I expected, and the turkey sausage patties are a bit dry, but the pancakes were tasty. Service was speedy and attentive though the servers lacked personality. Overall decent experience and would return again.

Zan Lee

Important to know that it is cash only. S&W is a really solid, classic diner. Inside has a really great retro look, with the theme of a diner in the country. They have plenty of table and booth seating as well as a large menu. Service was very quick and we were able to sit down right when we arrived for an 11 AM Sunday brunch. Parking in the area can be a bit tricky, we were not able to find street parking, so we parked in the parking garage on Watseka Ave a few blocks away. The garage has first hour is free parking and plenty of floors.

We ordered the Eggs Benedict, which was done very well although the ham could have been cooked a little more, as well as a Scramble and Blueberry Pancakes. I tend to like my pancakes a bit fluffier but still these were very good. We also ordered a Biscuit & Gravy and although I enjoyed the gravy, the biscuit was not a traditional biscuit and tasted closer to a light cake.

I held back a star due to some personal preparation preferences, and the cash only policy. Overall it was a nice breakfast.